Analysis of Palestinian armed actions in Italy through the Spanish press (1973-1985)

Abstract

This article analyzes how the Spanish press represented Palestinian armed actions carried out in Italy between 1973 and 1985, focusing on key incidents such as the Fiumicino attacks, the assault on the Rome synagogue, the Achille Lauro hijacking, and the Sigonella crisis. The main objective is to examine the role of the media as a producer of political discourse surrounding international terrorism, by exploring how the figure of the Palestinian militant was constructed and which narratives dominated the coverage.

The methodology combines critical discourse analysis (van Dijk) with transnational approaches (Saunier, Clavin) and incorporates theoretical reflections on media representation and memory (Ricoeur, Zelizer, Assmann). The study examines articles from ABC, El País, La Vanguardia, and Diario de Las Palmas, comparing ideological positions and rhetorical strategies.

The article is structured into thematic sections corresponding to each event, providing a chronological framework that helps identify recurring narratives, shifts in tone, and strategic silences in the Spanish press coverage.